Impacts of Absolute and Relative Income on Self-Rated Health in Urban and Rural China.

This study aims to assess the impacts of absolute and relative income on self-rated health (SRH) of residents in rural and urban China. Data were derived from the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Three distinct measures of relative income were considered (Gini coefficient, Yitzhaki index, and Deaton index) and computed for 3 geographic units (nation, province, and community). Nonlinear dynamic models for panel data were employed to test the absolute and relative income hypotheses. Absolute income was significantly associated with SRH among urban and rural populations. Relative income, as measured by the Gini coefficient, the Yitzhaki index, and the Deaton index, had statistically significant and negative impacts on SRH among the rural population, regardless of the reference group. For the urban population, the Gini coefficient was associated with SRH regardless of the reference group. In contrast, only the Yitzhaki index and the Deaton index at the provincial level were associated with SRH among the urban population. Our findings may provide a reference for policymakers to implement health policies designed to improve population health.

Assessment of three types of intranasal nebulization devices in three-dimensional printed models and volunteers: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Intranasal nebulization is an effective treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis; however, terminal inhalation devices have not been fully studied. We compared the sinonasal aerosol distributions and adverse effects of different inhalation units. METHODS: A mask, double-head nozzle, and single-head nozzle were applied to atomize the methylene blue solution to 3-dimensional printed models of the pediatric nasal cavity, adult nasal cavity with septal deviation, and postsurgical paranasal sinuses, and staining of the different sites was scored. Volunteers received nebulization of normal saline via different devices; thereafter, the adverse effects were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: After nebulization, the staining scores for the middle turbinate and middle meatus of the pediatric and adult nasal cavity models and the score for the anterior ethmoid sinus of the sinus model with the single-head nozzle were significantly higher than those with the mask and double-head nozzle (all p < 0.05; η2 for effect size estimates were above 0.68). Among the 31 volunteers, the adverse effects, including nasal irritation, facial pressure/pain, ear fullness/pain, postnasal drip, and throat irritation/cough, were mild. The variations in the incidence and VAS scores of the adverse effects among the devices were not significant (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The single-head nozzle was the most effective device in aerosol delivery to the lateral wall of the nasal cavity and sinuses; conversely, the mask yielded limited sinonasal deposition. Intranasal nebulization was well tolerated, and the adverse effects among the devices were comparable. These findings are meaningful for selecting and developing inhalation units.

Psychological Mechanisms Linking County-Level Income Inequality to Happiness in China.

Background In China, income levels and living standards have improved significantly, but many Chinese citizens still do not feel any happier. This phenomenon may be attributed to increased income inequality. Methods Using data from the 2013 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), we employed multilevel structural equation modeling (MSEM) to investigate the impact of county-level income inequality on individual-level happiness in China and multilevel mediation analysis with structural equation modeling (MMSEM) to explore the mechanisms through which income inequality impacted happiness. Results A negative relationship between income inequality and happiness was found. The negative association between them was explained by two psychological mechanisms, i.e., fairness and trust. The findings explained a "Chinese puzzle," i.e., why people do not feel happier despite improved income and living standards. Conclusions Our findings may provide a reference for policy makers to implement policies designed to improve individual happiness. What is important now is to reduce income inequality, and to potentially improve perceptions of fairness and trust in China.